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While strolling in Bolzano,
the provincial capital
 of Alto Adige,
you should
be prepared
that if you say, "buon giorno," to a local, the reply might
come back, "guten tag." Nestled in the alpine fairyland of
Sudtirol, or the Southern Tyrol, Bolzano is a melange of
Italian and Austrian culture.
Tyrolean architecture, winding streets, outdoor cafés and
restaurants create a charming, picturesque atmosphere. The
town's small historic center is known as Piazza Walther, or
Waltherplatz (Like the streets, many of the restaurants go
by two names, Italian and German).
The Via dei Portici, or Lubengasse, speaks for its neighbors
to the north with German architecture. It runs between 15th
and 16th century buildings to Piazza delle Erbe, or
Obstzplatz, which means "produce market." The market is held
every morning except Sunday. At the end of the square is the
14th-century Chiesa dei Francescani on Via dei Francescani.
The exquisite Gothic altarpiece carved by Hans Klocker in
1500 sits in the Capella della Beata Vergine and is
definitely worth seeing. Also worth a visit are the church's
untouched, serene cloisters. Castel Mareccio is just north
of Piazza delle Erbe, along the Via delle Roggia. It is home
to renowned wine cellars. The nearby Duomo dates to the 14th
century and boasts some truly amazing frescoes. |
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